Hollywood Greets Michelle Obama at 'LGBT Reception' Fundraiser
Michelle Obama spoke at an 'LGBT Reception' fundraiser at the home of CAA managing partner Bryan Lourd and his partner Bruce Bozzi Wednesday night (photo not from event).
From Patrick Range McDonald's pool report:
"Approximately 300 donors attended the fund raiser, which took place in the wealthy, Los Angeles neighborhood of Holmby Hills. Minimum contribution for a guest was $1,000 to get through the door. Supporters who raised $25,000 were given access to a VIP room, where Obama met with them and briefly spoke. All money went to the Obama Victory Fund. Some of the entertainment industry figures who attended the fund raiser were Kevin Huvane, managing partner of CAA, actress Kate Bosworth, actress Helen Hunt, producer Paula Weinstein, actress Salma Hayek, openly gay fashion designer Tom Ford, openly gay producer Bruce Cohen, and actress Reese Witherspoon. Former South Dakota senator Tom Daschle, who was in Los Angeles campaigning for Barack Obama, was also a guest. Los Angeles gay community leaders who attended the event were Los Angeles City Councilman Bill Rosendahl, West Hollywood City Councilman John Duran, and restaurateur David Cooley, all of whom are openly gay."
Obama spoke briefly and touched on gay and lesbian issues DOMA, 'Don't Ask, Don't Tell', and gay adoption, according to McDonald. She also spoke about the Iraq war.
The Daily Breeze reported that this and another fundraiser at the home of Samuel L. Jackson raised $1.5 million for the Obama campaign.
The full pool report here...
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Oh, I can't wait for Miss Cindy to speak at a group of openly gay folks...think she'll take Tough Sarah with her? Yes, I know it was a fundraiser, but, Hell, those Log Cabin boys would gladly have her....I guess.
Cindy on Tough Sarah, "we had a maid like her once...had to let her go...attitude problem, you know."
Posted by: Derrick from Philly | Sep 4, 2008 12:44:22 PM
Why did they use the wording "openly gay"? Isn't "gay" enough, or were there a bunch of closet cases in attendance?
Posted by: Paul R | Sep 4, 2008 1:03:55 PM
PAUL, you've obviously never been to a party in Los Angeles.
Posted by: Mark in NYC | Sep 4, 2008 1:16:22 PM
It would also be nice to see this affluent group hold a fundraiser to fight Proposition 8 from passing in their backyard.
Posted by: John in Manhattan | Sep 4, 2008 1:20:09 PM
You'll never see any republicans doing this. The Democrats have made it known that they'll work for the LGBT community.
Posted by: KFLO | Sep 4, 2008 1:20:22 PM
John in Manhattan:
There are plenty of affluent gays working to fight Proposition 8. Don't get it twisted.
Posted by: SUGARRHILL | Sep 4, 2008 1:46:33 PM
Salma Hayek has always been gay-friendly, I don't understand why there is an antigay caricature in her tv show "Ugly Betty".
Posted by: Manolo | Sep 4, 2008 3:52:07 PM
@Manolo:
Probably because, as Executive Producer of the show, she might have thought it would be funny and ironic to play as a caricature of actual homophobes, mocking them in turn...?
Not sure, but sounds like a plausible explanation to me.
Posted by: Brooks | Sep 4, 2008 4:18:19 PM
Oh for fuck's sake, Ugly Betty is executive produced/written by a gay man. And it is based in the Fashion World. It has a transgendered lead character! The stereotypes on the show are faced head on and are not one-dimensional. Just because certain characters are nelly queens doesn't mean they are not gay positive images. LGBT has to steer away from this only straight acting gay portrayals are pc bullshit. What is wrong with being feminine acting gay man? If it weren't for the nelly queens we'd have none of the rights we currently enjoy and the straight acting queens would still be in the closet.
Posted by: sugarrhill | Sep 4, 2008 4:36:58 PM
Love our new first lady.
Posted by: Marco | Sep 4, 2008 8:09:31 PM
I wouldn't go so far to say she's our new first lady, but it's kind of looking that way right now. We won't know until election day, though.
Posted by: Grand Caveman | Sep 9, 2008 12:18:45 PM